Catering Sous Chef

Position Summary:

The Catering Sous Chef is a culinary leader of the catering department, responsible and accountable for accurately and efficiently preparing, portioning, cooking, and beautifully presenting hot food items for various catering events. They will prepare and cook food according to recipes and production guidelines while adhering to food safety, food handling, kosher, and sanitation procedures and ensure timely food production by other culinary team members through monitoring and assistance.

Supervision:

This position reports to the Executive Chef for their campus area daily operations, and reports to the Assistant Director of Dining-Catering Director for all administrative business operations.  

Responsibilities:

1. Lead daily operations of hot food production for all catering events, including, in conjunction with the Executive Chef, menu planning, purchasing, ordering, inventory to ensure the possession of appropriate equipment, inventory, and resources to perform and meet goals and deadlines. 
2. Consistently prepare and plate catering menu items with exceptional focus and attention to detail.
3. Collaborate with the Campus Center Executive Chef on menu and recipe development, flavor profiles, and plating standards and aid in developing future menus.
4. Arrange daily operations to ensure the success of culinary teammates.
5. Provide direct, in-person support of culinary team members to propel and inspire accuracy, efficiency, and compliance with all HACCP plans and protocols.
6. Motivate, encourage, and support staff performance through hands-on coaching and training.
7. Guarantee culinary team members accurately and efficiently complete required production for service stations.
8. Collaborate with the Garde Manger and assist with cold food production as needed.
9. Assist with operational logistics, including food transportation, set-up, and break-down.  
10. Provide culinary support to Campus Centering Dining Hall and assist with residential dining food production as needed.   
11. Prepare food per current applicable federal, state, and cultural standards, as well as guidelines and regulations, to yield high-quality food service.
12. Safely utilize and operate various utensils, including knives and equipment such as ovens, stoves, slicers, mixers, etc.
13. Taste products, read menus, estimate food requirements, check production, and keep records to plan production accurately.
14. Clean and sanitize all workstations and equipment and follow all Ithaca College and regulatory rules and procedures.
15. Attend all required training sessions, including allergy, foodborne illness, and safety training.
16. Develop and demonstrate a multicultural awareness and cultivate an inclusive, diverse, and respectful Ithaca College community. Demonstrate civil and inclusive behavior when interacting with staff, faculty, students, and visitors to the College. Promote a flexible, collaborative, and inclusive work and living environment and engage in educational opportunities to increase diversity and inclusion awareness.
17. Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications: 

• High school diploma or equivalent and three years of culinary and catering experience in a college/university dining hall, a restaurant, or other relevant establishment, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.  
• Superior organization and time management skills.
• Detail-focused and excellent attention to detail.
• Proficient knowledge of food preparation, cooking processes, equipment, and myriad cuisines.    
• Adept food handling and food safety skills, HACCP execution, and allergen knowledge.  
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including nights, weekends, overtime, and some holidays.   
• Capacity to read and follow written and electronic recipes.  
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to provide excellent customer service while working effectively and respectfully within a diverse and inclusive environment.  
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including nights, weekends, overtime, and some holidays.  
• Demonstrate proficient knife skills and complete a cooking demonstration as part of the interview process.  

Preferred Qualifications:  

• Additional education and experience, including collegiate/university food service and catering. 
• ServeSafe Certification.  
• Technological proficiency in food, business, and beverage platforms.  

Work Environment:

The Sous Chef completes work within an accessible, safe, indoor, and occasional outdoor environment. Long periods of walking, standing, bending, and carrying moderately heavy items (up to 50 pounds) may be necessary. Employees will be issued and/or required to wear slip-resistant shoes and cut gloves.

Application Instructions:

Interested applicants must apply online and attach a resume, cover letter, and list of three professional references. Questions about online applications should be directed to the Office of Human Resources at (607) 274-8000 or humanresources@ithaca.edu.

Ithaca College is committed to building a diverse academic community and encourages members of underrepresented groups to apply. Experience that contributes to the diversity of the college is appreciated.

Visa sponsorship is not provided for this position.

Hiring Rate:

$24.49, commensurate with qualifications and experience.  We pride ourselves on providing our benefit-eligible employees with comprehensive benefits, including work/life balance, generous paid time off policies, career-enhancing trainings, educational benefits, and opportunities to give back to the community. Beyond benefits, you’ll enjoy the kind of uniquely rewarding work environment that can only be found in a vibrant college community.  For an overview of our benefit offerings, please visit https://www.ithaca.edu/human-resources/employee-benefits-wellness